Antimony Pentachloride (SbCl₅)

Appearance:
Colorless oily liquid, often yellowish due to minor impurities or dissolved chlorine.

Chemical Behavior:
A highly reactive and strong Lewis acid, SbCl₅ reacts vigorously with water to release heat, forming hydrochloric acid and antimony pentoxide. It is soluble in organic solvents like chloroform and carbon tetrachloride but incompatible with moisture.

Applications:

• Catalyst: Widely used in organic synthesis and polymerization reactions (e.g., PET production).

• Chlorinating Agent: Effective in controlled chlorination processes.

• Intermediate: Serves as a precursor in the preparation of antimony-based compounds and materials.

Antimony Trichloride (SbCl₃)

Physical Properties:
Soft, colorless crystalline solid with a pungent odor; hygroscopic and orthorhombic in structure.

• Melting Point: 73.4°C

• Boiling Point: 220.3°C

Chemical Characteristics:
Readily hydrolyzes in water, producing hydrochloric acid and antimony oxychloride. Corrosive to metals and tissues and reactive toward moisture.

Solubility:

• Soluble in ethanol, acetone, benzene, and carbon disulfide.

• Partially soluble in water (undergoes hydrolysis).

Applications:

• Catalyst (Lewis Acid): Acts as an electron-pair acceptor in organic reactions.

• Analytical Reagent: Used in colorimetric analysis for concentration measurement of colored compounds.

• Industrial Use: Historically used for fireproofing and specialty material synthesis.

Stannic Chloride (SnCl₄)

Appearance:
Colorless to pale yellow fuming liquid with a sharp, pungent odor. Hygroscopic and highly corrosive.

Chemical Properties:
Reacts with water to form hydrochloric acid and tin oxides. Exhibits strong acidity and reactivity with metals and moisture.

Applications:

• Coatings: Used to produce electrically conductive and electroluminescent coatings.

• Textile Industry: Acts as a mordant and is used in silk weighting.

• Chemical Manufacturing: Serves as a precursor in the synthesis of tin-based compounds and salts.

• Specialty Papers: Applied in blueprint and sensitized paper production.

Stannous Chloride (SnCl₂)

Appearance:
White crystalline powder or solid.
Formula: SnCl₂

Chemical Behavior:
A strong reducing agent that easily absorbs moisture to form SnCl₂·2H₂O. Corrosive and toxic if ingested or inhaled.

Applications:

• Tin Plating: Used in electrolytic baths for metal finishing.

• Chemical Reagent: Common reducing agent in dye, pigment, and intermediate production.

• Food Processing: Functions as a preservative in certain canned foods.

• Stabilizer: Enhances stability of colors and fragrances in soaps and cosmetics.

• Pharmaceuticals: Used in synthesis of select drug intermediates.

Ferric Chloride (FeCl₃) – Pharma Grade

Key Characteristics:

• High-purity grade with low heavy metal content for pharmaceutical compliance.

• Available as anhydrous powder (FeCl₃) or hexahydrate crystals (FeCl₃·6H₂O).

• Also supplied as aqueous solutions (typically 40% concentration or as per requirement).

Properties:
Corrosive to metals and highly reactive in moist conditions.

Applications:

• Pharmaceutical Synthesis: Used as a reactant in the manufacture of iron supplements and intermediates.

• Catalyst: Supports chlorination and oxidation reactions in pharmaceutical and fine chemical production.